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For the third consecutive year, Arvest Bank will honor teachers by awarding 116 educators with a total of $58,000 in prize money.

The decision to award 116 $500 gifts to individual teachers was made not only out of respect and appreciation for the work teachers do, but as a sign of support at a time when many schools continue to face budget challenges. All prizes will go to teachers who work at state-funded schools.

“Commitment to community is something we take seriously at Arvest, and it is our pleasure to recognize these teachers, who do so much for our children and our communities,” Arvest president and CEO Kevin Sabin said. “We know they work hard every day to give all of us a better future, and we hope these awards help show how much we appreciate them.”

To nominate a teacher to receive one of the $500 prizes, look for an Arvest Bank Facebook post about this contest during the week of Oct. 15-21. Include the teacher’s name, school name, city, and one sentence describing why that teacher deserves to win.

The Ottawa Police Foundation will double its bicycle fleet and make significant additions to its annual Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Camp thanks to a $20,000 donation from the Arvest Foundation.The gift was announced Friday at the Law Enforcement Center in Ottawa. Several associates of Arvest Bank were on hand to present the check.

The two new, fully equipped bicycles will complement the Ottawa Police Foundation’s current fleet of two 20-year-old bicycles. The new bicycles will be especially helpful for special events and trail system patrol, among other uses.

The foundation’s D.A.R.E. Camp – which is offered free of charge to any Ottawa fifth-grader who enrolls in the program and submits an essay – will benefit from the Arvest Foundation donation by purchasing a utility terrain/task vehicle (UTV). This vehicle can be used for a host of purposes, including camp operations and crime investigation. It also will alleviate the need for the foundation to borrow a UTV from a community member in times of need.

The Arvest Foundation donation also will result in the Ottawa Police Foundation being able to purchase six new canoes and a trailer for use at its D.A.R.E. Camp. The new equipment will give the foundation a total of two trailers and 10 canoes, which will allow attendance to increase from about 97 to 180.

“Today's gift to the Ottawa Police Foundation represents a tremendous vote of confidence by Arvest in the Ottawa Police Department,” Ottawa Police Chief Dennis Butler said. “This generous donation to the foundation is the largest single donation ever received.

“We work hard every day to provide the best possible service to our community. Public and private partnerships like this allow us to do it even better. Today was a good day for the City of Ottawa."

“We are pleased to present this donation on behalf of the Arvest Foundation to support the Ottawa Police Department’s efforts to protect and serve our community,” Arvest’s Ottawa market president Ed York said. “The D.A.R.E. Camp, in particular, has a great impact on children in our community, and we are proud to contribute in a way that will make their experience even greater.”

“This donation is just one of many we have made throughout the area,” Arvest’s Greater Kansas City president and CEO Mark Larrabee said. “It demonstrates the foundation’s ongoing commitment to education and to the children in the region.”

Arvest in Greater Kansas City is celebrating the accomplishments of another outstanding associate. The local Private Banking Manager, Amy Morbeck, graduated from Central Exchange’s Emerging Leaders program earlier this month.The Emerging Leaders Program takes place over a one-year period to achieve sustainable development. This course is focused on empowering high potential women through actionable education. From sessions with real-life examples shared by regional thought leaders to active-learning based small group sessions, individuals will graduate Emerging Leaders with the skills and tools to take their leadership to the next level.

“Emerging Leaders is an exceptional program and I truly loved it. After every session I implemented new ideas with my team and continue to pull ideas out of my toolbox I received while in the program. Thanks [Arvest] for the many ways you endorse and support my growth. It’s an honor to use the gifts to enhance the best bank in the country” says Amy.

Congratulations, Amy!

About Arvest

Arvest Bank, named by Forbes magazine as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” for 2018, operates more than 250 bank branches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas through a group of 15 locally managed banks, each with its own board and management team.

Meyer will serve as a business development representative in Branson. In his new role, Meyer will identify prospective small business customers, help them find strategic solutions to for their specific needs, and process business loan requests, among other duties.

Previously, Meyer served as a risk advisor for an insurance and business advisory firm for more than three years, and as the resource development director for the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks for four years.

"Rusty's commitment to the Branson community positions him as the perfect fit for this role. We are excited to welcome him to the Arvest family," Pam Yancey, community market director said.

Meyer grew up in Branson where he graduated from Branson High School. He went on to attend the University of Central Missouri where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history.

Meyer is on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks and his interests include sports, travel, classic cars and socializing with friends.

Arvest Bank is pleased to announce Melissa Box has accepted a new role as a mortgage lender in Branson.

"We couldn't be more excited for Melissa to join the mortgage team,” said Carla Green, mortgage loan manager for Arvest in Springfield. “I have every confidence that she will exceed the expectations of our customers in the Branson area."

Box has worked at Arvest since 2014, and previously worked in business development and as a commercial lender in the Branson area. In her new role, she will serve as a as a decision-making resource for customers, providing guidance to them in an effort to find solutions tailored for their unique mortgage needs, among other responsibilities.

Among other civic endeavors, Box is a member of both the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Hollister.

"Melissa's heavy involvement in our community speaks volumes about her character and drive,” said Pam Yancey, community market director for Arvest in Branson. “She will, without a doubt, continue to impress as she takes on this new role."

Investment products and services are provided by Arvest Investments, Inc., doing business as Arvest Asset Management, member FINRA/SIPC, an SEC registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Arvest Bank. Trust services are provided by Arvest Bank. Insurance products are made available through Arvest Insurance, Inc., which is registered as an insurance agency. Insurance products are marketed through Arvest Insurance, Inc., but are underwritten by insurance companies.
Securities and Insurance Products: Not Insured by FDIC or any Federal Government Agency, May Lose Value, Not a Deposit of or Guaranteed by a Bank or any Bank Affiliate.